Irish Defence Forces School of Music

Irish Defence Forces School of Music
Scoil Cheoil Óglaigh na hÉireann
Active November 1922 (1922-11)
Country  Ireland
Branch Defence Forces (Ireland)
Type Military Band corps
Headquarters Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin
Nickname(s) DSFM
Commanders
Director of Music Lieutenant Colonel Mark Armstrong (Since 2010)

The Irish Defence Forces School of Music (Scoil Cheoil Óglaigh na hÉireann) is an organised musical Corps of the Irish Army which maintains the military bands of the army. It contains a directorate and a headquarters made up of 3 military bands. The 97 members of the three bands currently perform at approximately 500 state, military and civilian events annually.

History

The idea for an Army School of Music was first noted in November, 1922, when General Richard Mulcahy, the then Chief of Staff, said that he wants to have bands “that will dispense music and musical understanding in the highest terms to the people”. The first requirement was for expert military musicians to take on the task of training bands. Ireland originally reached out to the French Republican Guard Band, which was unsuccessful, however they were able to reciev training from Germany. One musician in particular, Colonel Wilhelm Fritz Brase, who was the "Royal Music Director" of the Emperor Alexander 1st Guards Grenadiers since 1907, was invited to lead the band on March 1, 1923. By January 1924, the entire operation was transferred from the Curragh, to Beggars Bush Barracks, Dublin. Between 1924 and 1936 a school and three more military bands, all under the title of "The Army School of Music". Colonel Brase died in 1940 and was succeeded by Colonel Sauerzweig, who served as Director until 1947. 1997 saw a reorganisation of the Defence Forces which also included a reduction in overall strength. The bands of the re-titled Defence Forces School of Music did not remain untouched by this process.[1]

List of Directors

  • Colonel Wilhelm Fritz Brase (1923–1940)
  • Colonel Christian Sauerzweig (1940–1947)
  • Colonel James Doyle (1947–1971)
  • Colonel John Brennock (1971–1981)
  • Colonel Fred O’Callaghan (1981–1987)
  • Colonel Jim McGee (1987–1988)
  • Colonel Neil O’Brien (1988–?)
  • Lieutenant Colonel Mark Armstrong (Since 2010)

Mission

The DFSM has the responsibility for the overall direction of music policy within the Defence Forces. In addition to overseeing all purchases of new instruments, music and band equipment, the DFSM has responsibility of recruiting and training new instrumentalists.[2]

Irish Army Bands wear a black ceremonial uniform with red stripes on the trousers and peak cap type headwear.

Instrumentalists

Military instrumentalists of the DFSM provide musical support for all aspects of military life. Potential instrumentalists are required to complete an online application form and be 18 years of age and under 28 years.[3]

Bands

The Army No.1 Band

Army No.1 Band
Banna Arm Uimh.1
The Army No.1 Band during the State Visit by the President of Mozambique.
Active 1923 (1923)
Headquarters Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin
Commanders
Director of Music Captain Fergal Carroll (Since 2010)
Notable
commanders		 Colonel Wilhelm Fritz Brase (1923–1940[4][5])
Lieutenant Colonel Mark Armstrong (2001–2010[6])

The Army No.1 Band was formed in 1923 by Colonel Wilhelm Fritz Brase (The former Royal Music Director of the Emperor Alexander 1st Guards Grenadiers) and gave its first public performance under the direction of Colonel Brase at the Theatre Royal in Dublin, in October of that year. The band, was the first of four military bands to be established between 1923 and 1936, is the premier military band of the Irish Army. It performs on all major ceremonial occasions, including the presidential inauguration. It also provides musical support during state visits to Ireland by foreign Heads of state. The band has performed at festival and military tattoos in Italy, the Netherlands, Germany and France.[7][8]

The Band of the 1st Brigade

Band of the 1st Brigade
Banna den 1ú Briogáid
The band at Charles Fort
Active April 1925 (1925-04)
Headquarters Collins Barracks, Cork
Commanders
Director of Music Captain Brian Prendergast (Since 2007[9])

The Band of the 1st Southern Brigade also known as the Army No.2 Band was formed in April 1925 at Beggars Bush Barracks, Dublin. Its current title, dates from a reorganisation of the Defence Forces in 1997.[10][11]

The Band of the 2nd Brigade

Band of the 2nd Brigade
Banna den 2ú Briogáid
Active 1936 (1936)
Headquarters Athlone
Commanders
Director of Music Captain John Carpenter[12]

The Band of the 2nd Brigade also known as the Army No.3 Band is the 2nd territorial band of the DFSM based in Athlone.[13][14]

Defence Forces Pipe Bands

Personnel of pipe bands serve in their musical role in addition to their primary military duties as riflemen. Irish pipe bands serve in the Congo, Cyprus, and Lebanon and play an important role in maintaining morale. Currently each of the nine Permanent Defence Force infantry battalions has a pipe band trained by the School of Music.[15]

Photos

References

  1. ↑ "History of DFSM | DF School of Music | Army Corps | Organisation | Army | Defence Forces". military.ie. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  2. ↑ "DF School of Music | Army Corps | Organisation | Army | Defence Forces". military.ie. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  3. ↑ "INSTRUMENTALISTS". Retrieved 2018-07-29.
  4. ↑ "Fritz Brase: Ireland's Prussian Bandmaster - Brandenburg Historica, LLC". stores.militaryhistoryshop.com. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  5. ↑ "Fritz Brase. Ireland's No. 1 Army Band. 1923 - 1940. - The Royal Irish Constabulary Forum". irishconstabulary.com. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  6. ↑ "Mark Armstrong :: Composer :: Arranger :: Conductor:: About". mark-armstrong.com. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  7. ↑ "Army No.1 Band | DF School of Music | Army Corps | Organisation | Army | Defence Forces". military.ie. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  8. ↑ "The Army Number One Band". Eolas Magazine. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  9. ↑ "Military top brass: Meet the conductor of the army's Southern Brigade band | BreakingNews.ie". amp.irishexaminer.com. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  10. ↑ "Band 1st Brigade | DF School of Music | Army Corps | Organisation | Army | Defence Forces". military.ie. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  11. ↑ "THE BAND OF THE FIRST SOUTHERN BRIGADE". waterfordarts.com. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  12. ↑ "Ireland v Australia - Guinness Series Pictures". Getty Images. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  13. ↑ "Army band coming to Collon". amp.independent.ie. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  14. ↑ Harvey, D. (2016). Soldiers of the Short Grass: A History of the Curragh Camp. Merrion Press. ISBN 9781785370656. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  15. ↑ "DF Pipe Bands | DF School of Music | Army Corps | Organisation | Army | Defence Forces". military.ie. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
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